Vent-blocking inflatable bladder assembly for a HVAC zone control system

Abstract

The invention is an inflatable bladder assembly for use in HVAC zone control systems. The bladder has a nozzle for inflating and deflating the bladder. The nozzle connects to a small air tube that is connected to the control system that provides pressure and vacuum for inflating and deflating the bladder. The bladder has at least two mounting tabs for attaching the bladder to a mounting fixture. A restraint fixture is attached to the mounting fixture. The restraint fixture firmly grips the nozzle and air tube. The restraint fixture allows the nozzle and air tube to be easily inserted into the fixture such that an airtight seal is made between the nozzle and air tube. The restrain fixture strongly resists forces that would remove the nozzle or air tube from the restraint fixture. The mounting fixture is attached to the duct system.

1 . A pneumatic bladder assembly for use as an airflow control mechanism in an HVAC system, in which an air pump selectably provides one of pressure and vacuum to an air tube extending through ductwork of the HVAC system, said bladder assembly comprising:
 a) an inflatable and deflatable bladder having a plurality of means for attaching and a nozzle for coupling to said air tube,   b) a restraint fixture for restraining the locations of said nozzle and said air tube in proper alignment for coupling,   c) a mounting fixture for fixing the location of said bladder assembly in a duct of said HVAC system, said means for attaching attached to said mounting fixture and said restraint fixture attached to said mounting fixture such that it restrains said nozzle.   
     
     
         2 . The bladder assembly of  claim 1  where said restraint fixture allows easy insertion by hand force of said air tube into said restraint fixture and said nozzle and said restraint fixture resists forces directed such as to remove said air tube from said restraint fixture. 
     
     
         3 . The bladder assembly of  claim 1 , said restraint fixture comprising:
 a) a plurality of edges arranged to grip with spring action the outside of said air tube,   b) a plurality of edges arranged to grip with spring action the outside of said nozzle,   c) a means for positioning the air tube gripping edges and the nozzle gripping edges such that when said nozzle and said air tube are inserted into said restraint fixture, said nozzle and said air tube are in proper alignment for coupling.   
     
     
         4 . The bladder assembly of  claim 1 , said bladder comprising a plurality of separate pieces cut from flexible material and joined using air-tight seams, and one of said separate pieces having a tab extending beyond said seams for attaching said bladder. 
     
     
         5 . The bladder assembly of  claim 1 , said bladder comprising a plurality of separate pieces cut from flexible material and joined using air-tight seams, said separate pieces shaped such that said bladder approximates a cylindrical shape when inflated, and one of said separate pieces having a tab extending beyond said seams for attaching said bladder. 
     
     
         6 . The bladder assembly of  claim 1 , said bladder comprising a plurality of separate pieces cut from flexible material and joined using air-tight seams, said separate pieces shaped such that said bladder approximates a truncated cylindrical shape when inflated, and one of said separate pieces having a tab extending beyond said seams for attaching said bladder. 
     
     
         7 . The bladder assembly of  claim 1 , said bladder comprising a plurality of separate pieces cut from flexible material and joined using air-tight seams, said separate pieces shaped such that said bladder approximates a rectangular prism shape when inflated, and one of said separate pieces having a tab extending beyond said seams for attaching said bladder. 
     
     
         8 . The bladder assembly of  claim 1  where said mounting fixture is a strap that is flexible in one direction perpendicular to the long axis of said strap and is rigid in other directions perpendicular to the flexible direction. 
     
     
         9 . The bladder assembly of  claim 1 , said mounting fixture comprising a structure that fits through a vent cut into a trunk of said HVAC system, said structure incorporating a short section of duct and other partitions such that when said mounting fixture is installed in said vent and said trunk, all airflow from said trunk through said vent must pass through said short section of duct.